Cheese-hoop follower



G. CASTLE. Cheese Hoop Follower.

Patented June 11881.

N. PETERS, Phalo-Lhhcgnpher. Wlrhi nnnnnnn C4 UNrTEo STA ES PATENT OFFICE.

GOSWIN CASTLE, OF AVA, NEW YORK.

CHEESE-HOOP FOLLOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,598, dated June '7, 1881.

Application filed April 21, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GOSWIN CASTLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ava, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cheese-Hoop Followers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, referen ce being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters or figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to the construction of followers for cheese-hoops; and it consists in attaching to the same an expansible ring or washer composed of a coil or roll of fibrous material inclosed in a suitable covering-stri p, said ring being arranged to fit closely within the cheese-hoop, whereby the curd or edge of the cheese, while under pressure, will beeffectually prevented from being forced between the edge of the follower and the side of the cheesehoop, as hereinafter'more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, which fully illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a bottom view of the follower. Fig. 2 is a top "iew of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective of the follower, showing the manner of forming and attaching the ring. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a cheese hoop with the follower applied; and Fig. 5 is a sectional detail.

Like letters indicate like parts.

Heretofore there has been considerable diff culty in pressing cheese so that it will come from the hoop with clean, smooth corners or edges,withoutfinsandroughness. Manyauxiliary devices, such as beveled crevioehoops, elastic washers, and right angled hoops or rings have been employed in order to obviate this difficulty, but not always with satisfactory results. The use of such appliances is also attended with more or less trouble in securing a proper adjustment, unless the follower is made to fit tightly within the hoop, in which case it is prevented from moving freely, and on account of swellings may be difficult to remove without breaking the cheese. On the other hand, should the follower shrink from non-use, its relative adjustment with the auxiliary rings and hoops before mentioned is (No model.)

disarranged, and beside their liability of becoming thus displaced under pressure a considerable space is left between the follower and hoop, into which the cheese is forced. The difficulties referred to have been greatly lessened by the attachment of an elastic packingring to the lower edge of the follower so as to project slightly beyond the same, and thus by pressing against the interior of the hoop prevent the passage of curd between it and the follower. These rings possess more or less rigidity, however, and are liable to become detached.

By my invention an elastic or expansible packing-ring of peculiar construction is attached to the follower in such a manner as to project beyond its edge and lit closely against the interior of the cheese-hoop, so as to effectually prevent the passage of curd and the formation of fins on the side of the cheese.

To the lower edge of the follower A, which is beveled at a, is attached a packing-ring, B, that consists of a cloth or canvas strip, 1), or other suitable material, inclosing a rope, cord, or coil of fibrous material, O, of suitable diameter or thickness. The ring thus formed is securely attached to the follower so as to rest on the bevel a and project slightly below the lower face of the follower and beyond its periphery.

On the strip B, below and slightly to the outer side of the cord 0, is a hem, b, that under pressure projects beyond the cord 0 and effectually closes any space or crevice between it and the interior of the hoop. This hem may be formed of two or more thicknesses of cloth, as desired, and is secured by suitable stitching. It will be seen that as the follower A is caused to move forward in the hoop D, so as to press the cheese, the cord 0 inclosed in the packing-strip B will become expanded against the bevel a. and press firmly outward against the interior of the hoop with an equal pressure at all points that is supplemented by the projectin g hem b beneath, so as to effectually prevent the passage of the hoop contents. The hem b not only assists in exerting a proper pressure against the interior of the hoop, but

also serves to hold the cord or roll O firmly in place. I

The followerA is provided on its upper face with grooves c, and also has apertures d learl- B, composed of a strip of cloth, canvas, or

iug thereto for the passage of the whey. other suitable material, I), having a projecting Having thus described my invention,whatI hem, b, and inclosing a coil or cord, 0, of 15 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters fibrous material, substantially as and for the 5 Patent, ispurpose set forth.

1. As a new article of manufacture, a fol- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature lower for cheese-hoops, having an expansiblr; in presence of two witnesses. packing-ring composed of a roll or coil 0 fibrous material inclosed in a suitable coy'er- GOSWIN CASTLE 1o ing-strip, substantially as specified. Vitnesses:

2. [he combination, with the follower A, ADAM POHL, having bevel a, of the expansible packing-ring G. H. ENEARL. l 

